Anxiety and depression in men

Summary

In general, men tend to put off getting any kind of support, because they think they’re supposed to be tough, self-reliant, and able to manage pain and take charge of situations. Depression is a serious and common condition that won’t get better by itself. While women are more likely to experience anxiety and depression, men are less likely to talk about it. This increases the risk of their anxiety or depression going unrecognised and untreated.

In general, men tend to put off getting any kind of support, because they think they’re supposed to be tough, self-reliant, and able to manage pain and take charge of situations. This can make it hard for men to acknowledge they have any health problems, let alone one that affects their social and emotional wellbeing.

Depression is a serious and common condition that won’t get better by itself. If you have a broken arm or a deep cut on your foot, you don’t expect that to heal without medical help. It’s the same with depression.

On average, one in eight men will have depression and one in five men will experience anxiety at some stage of their lives.1

While women are more likely to experience anxiety and depression, men are less likely to talk about it. This increases the risk of their anxiety or depression going unrecognised and untreated.

Untreated depression is a high risk factor for suicide and in Australia there are about 2,200 suicides each year. More than 70 per cent of people who take their lives are men – with an average of five men dying by suicide every day. Suicide is the leading cause of death for men under the age of 44, significantly exceeding the national road toll.

It’s important to remember that anxiety and depression are illnesses, not weaknesses, and effective treatments are available.

You need to know the warning signs – not only for you, but for your friends and family. To find out more about anxiety and depression in men visit beyondblue.

Symptoms of anxiety in men

Anxiety is more than having sweaty palms and butterflies in your stomach. Symptoms of anxiety can include feelings of worry, stress, fear and impending doom that are so severe they interfere with your ability to work, maintain relationships and get a decent night’s sleep.

Physical signs of anxiety may include:

pounding or racing heart

excessive sweating

choking sensations

dizziness and vertigo

shortness of breath

hot flushes or chills

insomnia and exhaustion

panic attacks.

Emotional signs of anxiety may include:

feelings of dread

concentration problems

inner tension and nervousness

catastrophic thinking

irritability or edginess

being overly vigilant towards danger

absentmindedness

fear of losing control.

Symptoms of depression in men

While depression is often associated with sadness and hopelessness, it also manifests itself in fits of rage, unnecessary risk taking, and alcohol or drug abuse in men.

Physical signs of depression may include:

persistent pain

loss of energy

loss of sex drive

changes in appetite

lethargy or exhaustion

change in sleep patterns and restlessness

alcohol or drug abuse.

Emotional signs of depression may include:

feeling guilty

feeling angry or violent

losing interest in hobbies

feeling apathetic (indifferent or lacking interest)

feeling sad or nervous

feeling alone

taking unnecessary risks

thinking about death or suicide.

Treatment for anxiety and depression in men

Your doctor is a good source of information and can assess if what you are feeling is anxiety or depression. If you are diagnosed with either of these conditions, together you can work out an action plan.

Anxiety and depression are like any other medical condition – you need ways to manage them and stop them happening again later.

For some people, medication might be necessary. Most people using medication report a significant improvement in their condition, and greater capacity to get back to the things they used to enjoy. Antidepressants take at least two weeks before they start to help, and it may also take some time for your doctor to find the medication and dose that is most effective for you.

There are different health professionals who can provide advice or services if you’re experiencing anxiety or depression.

Develop an action plan

Your action plan will cover a wide range of options. The plan can include exercise, stress management and how to improve your sleep. You may be referred to a psychologist who can help you address things like negative thinking and how to deal with hassles in your relationships.

Some people think it’s weak to admit they’re going through a tough time, but if you have anxiety or depression, you can’t just ‘snap out of it’ or ‘pull yourself together’. There’s more to it than that.

If you think you may have depression or anxiety, and want to take action, start by talking to someone you trust – keeping it to yourself only makes things worse. Discuss your situation with a mate, partner, family member or a colleague.

Tips for men coping with anxiety and depression

You are in control of your health and wellbeing. There are lots of different things you can do, so find an approach that best suits you. For example, try to stay active and make plans for the day – they don’t have to be grand plans, just small things like going for a run, talking to a mate or doing some gardening.

Try to include activities or hobbies that you specifically enjoy. At first, you may not enjoy them as much as you did before, but if you keep active and persist, the enjoyment should eventually return.

It’s important to look after your body by staying physically active, eating healthily and getting plenty of sleep. Try not to drink or take drugs to block out how you’re feeling and what is happening. This is not a positive long-term solution and only makes the anxiety or depression worse.

There are options available, but it’s different for everybody. The important thing is to find the right options and the right health professionals that suit you.

Supporting someone with anxiety or depression

There are ways that you can help someone with anxiety or depression. It may be helpful to:

let them know if you’ve noticed a change in their behaviour

spend time talking about their experiences and let them know you’re there to listen without being judgmental

help them to get information from a website, library or community health centre

suggest they go to a doctor or health professional, and help them to make an appointment

offer to go with them to their appointment and follow them up afterwards

encourage them to get enough sleep, exercise and to eat well

encourage family and friends to invite them out and keep in touch, but don’t pressure them to participate in activities

encourage the person to face their fears with support from their doctor or psychologist

discourage them from using alcohol or other drugs to try to feel better

contact a doctor or hospital if they become a threat to themselves or others.

It is unhelpful to:

put pressure on them by telling them to ‘snap out of it’ or ‘get their act together’

stay away or avoid them

tell them they just need to stay busy or get out more

pressure them to party more or wipe out how they’re feeling with drugs and alcohol

assume the problem will just go away.

If you or someone you know needs support, talk to a doctor or other health professional about getting appropriate treatment.

Stress is not anxiety or depression

Stress is not the same as anxiety or depression – but for some people, being stressed for a long time can lead to anxiety or depression, and it can affect a person’s physical health, particularly cardiovascular health.

When we talk about being stressed, it usually means we’re upset or tense about something that’s happening in our lives. Stress is a normal part of daily life. It’s a natural physical and mental response that is designed to help people cope effectively with emergencies.

Some stress can be a good thing. It can help us get motivated to get things done, but health problems from stress happen when it is regular and doesn’t let up.

Where to get help

Your doctor

Psychiatrist

Psychologist

beyondblue Support Service Tel. 1300 22 4636

SuicideLine Tel. 1300 651 251

Lifeline Tel. 13 11 14

Mensline Australia Tel. 1300 78 99 78

Suicide Callback Service Tel. 1300 659 467

Things to remember

Anxiety and depression in men are common and treatable.

Anxiety and depression are illnesses, not weaknesses, and effective treatments are available.

Taking action may not be as hard as you think.

It’s important to seek support for anxiety and depression early – the sooner the better.

With the right treatment, most people recover from anxiety and depression.

Want to know more?

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beyondblue

Last reviewed: November 2014

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In general, men tend to put off getting any kind of support, because they think they’re supposed to be tough, self-reliant, and able to manage pain and take charge of situations. Depression is a serious and common condition that won’t get better by itself. While women are more likely to experience anxiety and depression, men are less likely to talk about it. This increases the risk of their anxiety or depression going unrecognised and untreated.

Content on this website is provided for education and information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not imply endorsement and is not intended to replace advice from your qualified health professional. Content has been prepared for Victorian residence and wider Australian audiences, and was accurate at the time of publication. Readers should note that over time currency and completeness of the information may change. All users are urged to always seek advice from a qualified health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions.

For the latest updates and more information, visit www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au